In the morning after stillness something still was a bit amiss. Why did I catch myself almost not wearing those new boots today as I left the house? It was probably nothing. Or, I’d thought it was nothing.

For a few moments on the bus amongst the chatter in two different languages I found myself fading a bit into the background with thought. So many questions. So many answers. So much… placidity.

I walked past my favorite boutique on the way to work. The clink and clatter of my jingle boots on the marbled colored sidewalk seemed to echo a bit louder as I glanced into the storefront window.

Scene: a bus stop in Silverlake right near Sunset Junction, East Los Angeles

“In Silverlake now. Eta?”

It was silent. I started to walk towards the intended meeting spot before I saw a vintage shop I hadn’t encountered before. Oh how I love this neighborhood. I wish I came here more often.

The boots called to me from outside and down the street. I’d been desiring a pair of black half bucked boots. I didn’t think they’d fit but…

“I’ll just have a peek. It wouldn’t hurt I suppose.”

And when I slid them on they were a bit tight but that didn’t matter. Boots are made to be worn in. And oh what a grand pair these were. I found another pair of camel hair heels in a zebra design before exiting to continue on to the next destination.

And the time passed so fluidly.

Circus of Books was next. A couple of new foreign magazines to assist me in deciding the new hair style.

“I just finished my meeting. Intellegensia closes at 8. With traffic I can’t make it before 7:45 so we should meet somewhere else. Ideas?”

It was already 6:37 then. This client knew I traveled on public transportation. This was supposed to be the happy medium between downtown and the West side. I should have been aggravated but for some reason, I wasn’t. I headed towards a bus going back towards downtown but not before stopping in Secret Headquarters for a few comics.

“Which books do you still need?” I asked my son.

“Mom I told you I need issues 1 and 3 and the movie diary. Did you forget?”

“I wanted to make sure. You know. Because I’m an old lady and all. But Ethan we need to start getting you reading some fun stuff too after you’re done with this. Something with zombies or scary stuff. Zombies are our friends.. just like Jesus this weekend!”

“Mom you’re not supposed to say that!”

“But it’s true. What happens when someone comes back from the dead?”

“They turn into a zombie.”

“That’s right! So that’s why this weekend is zombie Jesus day.”

My client and I agreed to meet at my favorite bookstore downtown. I sat and read a couple of new single issues of a new book and thumbed through my new fashion magazines. I was covered with packages. For being flaked on, this wasn’t a terrible night. I didn’t usually venture out to that area by myself and now I was thinking it might need to be done more often.

The night progressed to more of the same. This client had very little value for my time. I walked around and got lost in the city. The air was crisp and seemingly carried me away. I got to see the Ansel Adams prints I’d been wanting to see since last month. The book store was warm and soothing. I began to hear the beep of my phone about to die. The client was still no where to be heard from. Nonetheless, I was glowing.

I’d just gotten my hair cut and dyed that weekend. I had to run an errand before work as I’d lost my phone at a thrift store while out with my son the weekend prior and was sending back a defective back up phone I’d purchased. Blue houndstooth dress, black pea coat, grey knit scarf, combat boots. It was gorgeous out and I was glad that I had an excuse to walk around the city a bit longer before going to work.

My former roommate Shelly usually walks in the mornings around there. I didn’t expect to run into her, but it was nice.

“Oh my god you cut your hair! You look great! How are you?”

“Yep. Did it this weekend. Doing great.”

“How’s the new place?”

“It’s fantastic. My roommate is a total sweetheart. There’s a ton of space. No offense but it beats being on a couch. Speaking of couches, how’s our favorite couch surfer?”

“I told him he had to pay rent in February so he’s moving. He will be gone in a couple of weeks.”

“Yeah. That makes sense.” I said with a laugh and trying to hold back the “I-totally-saw-that-one-coming.”

“I heard he met someone.”

“Yeah that’s about all I know. I was gone for the weekend again. I don’t know what he’s doing. I think he’s going to France though.”

“Hmm. Good for him. I wonder how he’s pulling that one off. Ah well.”

We chit chatted a bit more.

“You sound really good right now.”

“Oh I am. And sincerely thank you for all the help. You were right about everything. [The suited gent] was really just a boy. I’m a grown woman, I deserve a man. Eventually I will find one, but regardless, I’m not complaining about a damn thing. Life is pretty awesome.”

We parted ways with hugs and smiles. I am forever thankful for the entrances and exits in my life.

Without saying goodbye to things… without letting go… you’re never able to attain the things you deserve.

I’m glad that I said goodbye to you. It was one of the best things I ever did.

It had been some nice conversation. Decisions and things in the future. A luxury shared space in South Park or my own place in the historic core of Los Angeles, walking distance from work.

“There’s a lot over there. I never go over there because I don’t want to pay for parking. It’s more convenient. You wouldn’t have to worry about food. There’s grocerry stores and restaurants. Lowry’s is over there.”

“The seasoned salt?”

“Yes but it’s a restaurant. They became famous here in LA. Best prime rib in the city.”

“Hmm I’ve never been. Maybe you’ll visit me and we’ll go?”

“Yeah. It’s something to think about. I’m going to take a shower now though.”

He got up and I stretched my arms out for a hug. It was stupid and cheesy but there it was.”

He pointed to his room where one of his friends was napping and joined his fingers. He pointed to me and then separated them again. He drops everything for her. Is she really his best friend or is she more?

“Derby tonight?”

“Maybe.”

We’d been planning it for weeks. I’d already bought his ticket. I washed my hands of it.

It was a rushed turn of events. My friend that I had been staying with previously at the Brewery informed me that the management was on his case about more than just the leaseholders being there. I had to find another spot temporarily and it was to be immediate.

I’d talked to this woman on the phone the night prior and a bit that morning. A friend of a friend was extending the favor. One month to find that new spot.

I can do this, I know I can.

She couldn’t get there to meet me before the game.

“My friend will be there. He’s staying with me too. He just graduated. He’s also staying there temporarily. But don’t worry, you will like him I’m sure. Here’s his number. Call him and he will show you the space.”

The first thought in my head was “Oh great. He’s going to be an irresponsible kid.”

I shrugged it off. My friend Steven and I got in the car and headed over.

Admittedly, I had also thought in the back of my head “I hope that he’s cute.” But the logical me told myself “I really hope that he’s not cute.”

The lofts were nestled next to one of my favorite galleries downtown- The Hive. It was walking distance from work.

I dialed this boy.

“Be right down.”

Steven and I stood outside the checkered hallway waiting for the elevator to open. I held my breath as the old black door opened. Out walked the most adorable man I had ever seen dressed in a black tie, black slacks, white dress shirt and dark shoes.

“Hi, I’m Dan.” he said and shook my hand.

As he turned to unlock the elevator, I looked over at Steven. I didn’t have to say anything. He and I both knew.

This part of the trip was always supposed to be a temporary spot. I knew that from the immediacy that it happened, and had been forever grateful to this wonderful angel with a name to match. On Monday morning she reminded me again.

“My friend is going to be here on the 16th. I just wanted to give you a heads up because I want the apartment to myself then. Even [the suited gent] will have to find somewhere else at least while my friend is here.”

Now, granted, I knew this was her space, and it had always been my intention to move sooner rather than later. However, was she just telling me he had to be gone too to be polite or was it really true?

It’s none of my business either way. I’m going to make it so.

Another morning with the suited gent and it came into conversation:

“I have to find another place to be when he comes in. We might both be homeless then.” he said with a bit of a light unknowing laugh.

A flashback entered my brain again. This time was the day after I’d arrived…

“I heard you two come in last night. You two are hilarious.”

“We had a good time.” I said as I looked to him and bit my lip with a smile.

“You know what’s going to happen right?”

We both looked at her in wide eyed wonder.

“You two are going to get a place together.”

I heard a text and snapped out of the daydream. The words fumbled, but made their way out.

“Well, maybe if I get my place by then you can stay with me that weekend.”

There are some scenes where you see in a movie but you don’t believe they would ever happen. This night was one of them.

Over the holidays, the trio of Three’s Company had done their own things. The lady of the house had gone up north for a few days, leaving the house for the suited gent and I to do what we will.

“Feel free to have as much sex as you want while I’m gone.” She’d said with a laugh just a few days prior.

On Sunday evening was the time where the three of us finally got to relax a bit, each in our own separate but intersected worlds.

There are many things about the suited gent, unbeknownst to this crowd as of current, that have lead several to believe that he truly is in his own little world. He’d come home and chatted a few minutes with the ladies before going up to roost in the cave he calls his temporary (but long term) room. It once had been occupied by a child far younger than this gent. A little girl that loved the magic of make believe and childish whimsey.

The attachment to boyish dreams is part of his appeal. He and I talked about his forays in movie watching this weekend as he hopped from Hugo to The Muppet Movie with several of his friends. I was disappointed at this news- a bit different than what I’d heard from other artist friends I’d seen earlier in the day.

At last, I was to retire to my computer and music. The lady was on the couch. He- in this cave.

The loft was dark. I looked up to the windowpane at the red bricks that have greeted me these two weeks and smiled at the sight that filled the scene. The light of his room illuminated a box on the wall of the building across the alleyway. He truly was in another world… living across the alley.. in a yellow lit room surrounded by brick.

It was a restless sleep yet again tonight. There’s just too much excitement in the air. A new job. A new place in the works. A new romance. I’m not sure of all the details or how long anything will last, but, for some reason unbeknownst to me, I feel washed over with peace.

The unnamed gent went out with friends last night and so did I. I got in early and ended up reading before I passed out.

The red bricked wall across the alleyway was still dark when I awoke. This may not be the city that never sleeps but it sure does make it difficult at times.

There is an energy racing the streets of downtown Los Angeles. It is a fever that whips through and catches you like the sun as it peers its head and smiles down from atop a skyscraper. I’ve got the fever and it’s not going away anytime soon.

It has become routine for me to wake up earlier and earlier. While the city sleeps and the bricks turn their bright reds and whites, is when I can gather my thoughts and relax without worry or care for another soul.

And then I felt his kiss.

Dressed in a suit and tie, he had come home again.

“Did you have a good time tonight?” I asked him.

“Very much so. I’m going to eat an apple and go to sleep. I’ll let you get back to your writing.”

We hugged and chatted a few minutes before he wandered up to his cave.